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Admirez des milliers d’espèces végétales, d’espèces sauvages et d’oiseaux indigènes dans leur habitat naturel du Territoire du Nord, dans les réserves naturelles et à l’occasion d’une excursion ou d’une sortie en bateau. La faune du Territoire du Nord prospère des plaines désertiques jusqu’aux zones tropicales à travers une multitude d’écosystèmes.

The NT is home to some of the most incredible habitats in Australia (and arguably the world), including World Heritage-listed sites, numerous national parks, conservation reserves and wildlife sanctuaries. There are boundless opportunities to observe and experience the unique plants and animals of the Territory in their natural environment.

Plan your trip around the iconic locations of Kakadu National Park and Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park. Both are respected internationally and UNESCO World Heritage-listed for their natural and cultural significance to the world.

Nature & wildlife itineraries

NT nature & wildlife tours

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Nature & wildlife around Darwin

Darwin is a lush tropical city with abundant bushland, nature reserves and unspoilt coastal areas.

Within the city itself, the George Brown Botanic Gardens is a great place to experience nature. Just a few minutes away from the CBD is the Charles Darwin National Park, protecting significant wetlands, important woodlands and local indigenous and WWII histories. Also within a few minutes of the city is the coastal area of East Point Reserve.

The George Brown Botanic Gardens are a lush tropical forest brimming with an array of flora and fauna. Encompassing more than 42 hectares, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the surrounds. You can stroll through rainforest, sit on the sprawling lawns, relax by the lily pond or enjoy the shade garden. Orchids, boabs, frangipanis, cycads, desert roses all abound in this relaxing oasis in the city.

Charles Darwin National Park offers an extensive network of walking and mountain biking tracks, a shady barbecue and picnic area and a lookout platform with great views of Darwin Harbour and its wetlands.

An array of birdlife call East Point Reserve home, as do wallabies, who forage for food at sunrise and sunset and sleep through the heat of the day. A steel boardwalk and short monsoon forest walk are available for those looking to explore the mangroves and tropical foliage.

Turtle Tracks tour

A cruise during a stay in Darwin is essential and standard for most visitors, but the Turtle Tracks tour provides a truly unique experience. Board the fast boat ride from Darwin and into Bynoe Harbour to the remote Bare Sand Island – a nesting place for the endangered Olive Ridley and Flatback turtles. Tours are scheduled by the lunar cycle to observe the turtles lay their eggs. Participants late in the season may even witness hatchlings wriggle free from the sand to start their pilgrimage to the sea.

Crocodylus Park & Zoo

Crocodylus Park and Zoo is only 15 minutes from Darwin CBD and is home to dozens of crocodiles, as well as other wildlife including emu, cassowaries, jabiru, snakes, water buffalo, dingoes, kangaroos and lions – to name a few. If you want to meet some of the animals up close, indulge in a meerkat and monkey meeting experience, a dingo play date or watch the lion feeding exhibit.

Howard Springs Nature Park

Just 25 minutes outside of Darwin, the Howard Springs Nature Park has been a recreational venue for the people of Darwin since World War II. Its diverse habitats include monsoon forests and extensive woodlands, providing a valuable wildlife habitat. You can swim here, walk through the rainforest or view the fish from the wall of the weir. You can also observe the turtles, birds and a few shy wallabies who come out in the late afternoon.

Berry Springs Nature Park

A mere 40-minute drive from Darwin lies the Berry Springs Nature Park. This is a favourite place with locals to swim, enjoy a picnic and unwind in idyllic surrounds. There’s a looped walking track through monsoon forest and woodlands you can explore at your own pace. In the months of March and April the native plants are in bloom and the grasslands are green and lush following the monsoonal rains.

Territory Wildlife Park

Right next door to Berry Springs is the Territory Wildlife Park. A range of impressive attractions await, including a nocturnal house, a walk-through aviary, an amazing aquarium and a dingo enclosure to name a few. There are presentations and shows throughout the day, with the Flight Deck show a popular favourite (weather permitting). Shuttle trains operate at intervals throughout the day providing transport between attractions. You can hop on and off to enjoy the ride, or stroll through the park at your own pace to take in the surrounds.

Litchfield National Park

Venture down the Stuart Highway about an hour and 20 minutes from Darwin to visit Litchfield National Park. Check out the termite mounds that all point to magnetic north and measure up to 2 metres tall. There are walking trails, hiking tracks and 4WD tracks for you to take. Swimming holes and waterfalls exist in all corners of the park, with Buley Rockhole, Florence Falls and Wangi Falls being the most accessible. Litchfield is full of stunning bushland where you can relax and listen to the soothing sounds of your surroundings.

Daly River region

Approximately 220km south of Darwin is the Daly River, home of the famous Barra Nationals annual fishing competition. The region is also popular with lovers of the outdoors keen to experience its hot springs, gorges, walks, swimming holes as well as it’s barramundi fishing. Head east from the Daly River township to the Douglas River and Daly River Conservation Areas. Here the Douglas and Daly rivers meet and create amazing natural attractions to explore.

While you’re exploring the region, it’s important that anytime you’re going into, on, or even nearby the water, that you’re Crocwise and take notice of all warning signs.